Motivations for Late 19th Century Immigration

During the late 19th century, the wave of new immigrants to the United States significantly transformed the nation’s cultural landscape. This period witnessed an influx of people from various parts of Europe, particularly Southern and Eastern Europe, many fleeing poverty and persecution. Analyze the motivations behind this immigration surge, particularly focusing on how the push factors in their home countries and the pull factors in the United States influenced this demographic shift.

Which of the following statements best captures the primary reason for the rise in immigration to the United States during the late 19th century?